One of the most difficult tasks for a homeschool parent is homeschooling an active learner is the winter. Why do I know this? Because I home schooled two active learners through 11 Minnesota winters. Teaching in those conditions was taxing, but it resulted in learning experiences my teenage boys fondly remember.

Although Texas winters are not as harsh as those in Minnesota, there are still days where the weather is sure to keep you and your kids inside more than you would like.

Here are some of my top recommendations for ways you can redirect your child’s wiggles into memorable learning adventures.

4 Ideas for homeschooling an active learner

  • Act it Out – Studying history or literature can take on greater meaning when a child can see the text come to life. Having your child act out a Bible story, a historical account, or a fictional piece is a wonderful way to turn a sedentary activity into an active one. Read the text to get an idea of what will be performed, then have your children go through the house and gather up any supplies they need for their part of the story. As you narrate, your children can act out their parts. Make sure you encourage discussions after the scenes. I was often surprised by how impactful the conversations were in expanding my boys’ knowledge of the event. They would have missed this if we had just read the text.
  • Cook up an Adventure – Often the kitchen is overlooked as a classroom, but the possibilities abound when you consider how many memorable recipes are connected to specific historical events and geographical locations. Our family has tried many new recipes through the years thanks to the library and internet. Not only did these lessons open my children’s eyes to new foods and new customs, but our food adventures provided our family with many culinary traditions.
  • Pile on the Possibilities – Home school subjects are often conducive to building, and what better indoor structure exists than a blanket fort? Add in a little history by encouraging your child to make a fort similar in shape to the Great Pyramid or a dugout dwelling the early pioneers used. A child can learn so much when challenged to take a concept from a book and make it come to life. Give your child a book to read on the subject while lounging in the fort to incorporate yet another subject. On a cold day, a cozy fort can make even a boring task into an exciting adventure.
  • Target the Tedious – Memorizing facts or reviewing flashcards can take on a whole new level of fun when a child can do them with a Nerf gun, bow, or slingshot in hand. All you need are foam darts or balls and a set of flashcards attached to paper cups. When your child shoots the card off the table or counter, he or she must give the answer or say the word on the card in order to score points.

The possibilities are endless considering the fact that cards, shooting mechanisms, and distances can be modified for any learning material or physical and cognitive ability.

To find more about how THSC can help you home school your special needs child, make sure to check out the full list of THSC member benefits and the special needs section of our website.

THSC exists to support your family as you home school. Have you joined? If not, check out our membership benefits that are Keeping Texas Families Free.

Peggy Ployhar, THSC Lead Writer and SPED Homeschool Founder & CEO

Peggy Ployhar, SPED Homeschool Founder & CEO, is a leader in the special education homeschooling community and a frequent writer and speaker on specialized education homeschooling issues.